As each election season passes, we are so happy to see the number of progressive candidates running to stand up against racism, classism, and corporatism, and for inclusiveness, economic fairness, and the working class.

One thing that we at Jejune are pleased to see is the number of LGBTQ+ candidates who are running this year, and we have profiled quite a few of them! This week we are highlighting Dominique Johnson (she/they), who is the incumbent representative in District 143 in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Dominique is a genderqueer millennial who has gone from humble political beginnings as a community organizer to Assistant Majority Leader. A former professor and punk rock bassist, they are a published author with work appearing in works ranging from Teen Vogue to The Nation. Dominique is passionate advocate for educational equity, the health and well-being of youth, women and LGBTQ+ people, and sustainability.

© Dominique Johnson for State Representative of the 143rd District

Where are you based?
I live in the Cranbury neighborhood of Norwalk, CT, a small state with a big heart.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
I am proudly the State Rep. for Norwalk/Westport, and am seeking re-election to a second term.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
A pragmatic legislator who stays true to my beliefs, I have delivered results with compassion and respect. I will continue to lead with integrity and empathy, putting children and their families, our elders, and the community we build together at the heart of my work for constituents.

What inspired you to run?
I was motivated by the opportunity to work hard for my community and give back to its next generation and their families. I was really inspired by the belief my neighbors had in me to bring positivity to this work and be a responsive, accessible person they could put their trust in to work on their behalf and for all people in our District.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
Our kids' and grandkids' generations deserve a safe, healthy, and prosperous future where their hard work is able to be rewarded. Every day I work to do my part to help make this a reality, and I lead and listen with my heart so together we can help make life a little bit better for all of us.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I served on my local City council for three years and then was elected to my first term as State Rep. in 2022. I was appointed Deputy Majority Caucus Chair and an Assistant Majority Leader for the term. During this first term, I helped write and shepherd our sweeping, generational elder care bill (HB 5001) into law, wrote and introduced the Green Jobs Corps Bill on the House floor and got it over the finish line, fought for and won $1,000,000 in the state budget to establish the Early Literacy Fund (ELF) for our children and families, and co-wrote the workforce development, entrepreneurship, and small business incentive provisions of the House priority climate bill (the CT Climate Protection Act).

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
Increasing access to early childhood education and child care, early childhood literacy, workforce development and pathways for job creation and employment, and affordability for working families and the middle class are priorities. These issues are intricately tied to the well-being of our families and their quality of life, and they are priorities because when we lift up women and their families we lift up us all. I will be co-sponsoring and working on initiatives this next session to ensure we are prioritizing the needs of our families on these issues.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
Our destinies as Americans are tied together. Our future is depending on us finding a way back to one another to work on solutions for increasingly complex problems. And I truly believe that when we come together to work on solutions together — across and often despite our differences — to the problems that affect us all we create a new potential for civil dialogue and problem-solving down the road. This is especially true on issues where it seems like common ground is impossible to reach right now. The forces that want us to turn on our neighbors now will never be as strong as the force for good that brings us together as Americans with a shared destiny. Putting together what is broken is very difficult work, and we all work hard and face challenges in our daily lives, especially now. We are all figuring out how we can make the changes we need together, and the love we have for our communities and our country will prevail — where something was once broken becomes stronger in time with love and care.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
I bring all of my identities and experiences to this work, and it is a privilege to be among the first from my LGBTQ+ community to have this seat at the table. I want to be a proud, visible role model for young people who want to do this work now and into the future, too, and I stand on my elder's shoulders so the next generation can stand on mine, going even further in their dreams for a better state, country, and world.

What is your motto in life?
"Find out who you are and do it on purpose." - Dolly Parton

Where can we find out more about you?
My campaign website is DominiqueJohnson.org and social are @dominiqueforct (Facebook, Instagram, and X) and my official website is at housedems.ct.gov/JohnsonD and official socials are @staterepjohnson (Facebook and Instagram)

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Dominique Johnson, Connecticut House of Representatives District 143